4th Grade End-of-Year Test and Proficiency Test Information

Although many states have end of year standardized tests, in North Carolina, these are called End-of-Grade tests. Read on to find out more about these tests and how you can help your child prepare.

Getting Ready for the End-of-Year Test

Why Administer these Tests?

North Carolina and other states administer 4th grade end-of-year tests for many reasons. First and foremost, states want to ensure that 4th graders can accomplish all the skills outlined in the state education standards. These tests help the state and schools identify weaknesses in the curriculum and assess how well students are responding to instruction. Teachers and parents can use the results to identify students who may benefit from special services. Usually, grades, observations and portfolios are included along with test scores when making these decisions.

End-of-year and other standardized tests are required by the federal legislation that passed in the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002. This legislation uses standardized test scores to determine whether or not students have made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). North Carolina and other states use this information to grade schools. You can find out your child's school's rating by looking up the school report, which should be linked from your district's website.

What's the 4th Grade End-of-Grade Test?

In North Carolina, most students from the 3rd grade through the 8th grade must take the End-of-Grade (EOG) tests. These tests are based on state education standards and are administered in late spring or early summer to public school children and some private school children. The North Carolina 4th grade EOG tests are presented in a multiple-choice format and cover math and reading.

What Can I Do to Help My Child Prepare?

By doing well throughout the school year, your child is already preparing for the EOG tests. Consult with your 4th grader's school to make sure that your child remains on top of his or her studies. The curriculum in your child's classes is based on the same standards the EOG test is, so by helping your child succeed throughout the school year, you're setting him or her up for success on the standardized test.

In the weeks and days before the EOG tests, you can get practice exams from your child's school or online from the North Carolina Department of Education. Administer them to your child in quiet environment that emulates a real testing environment. Go over the results with your child and help him or her with the areas that were difficult.

What Useful Resources Are There?

There are a variety of websites with games, worksheets and activities based on 4th grade learning standards. If your child is struggling in any particular subject, consider hiring a tutor. There are private tutors as well as tutors who work for large, national companies that can provide your child with any help he or she may require.

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